By Emmanuel Egbuchinem
The General Overseer of the Divine Faith Evangelical Mission International, Agbor, Prophet Joseph Igbodo, has frowned at the failure of the federal government to meet the obligations of the Nigeria Police Force, describing the development as unfortunate.
The Cleric, who made the remark in Agbor, expressed displeasure over the non commitment of the federal government and major stakeholders in the security sector in meeting the obligations of the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force for effective crime prevention and control.
Prophet Igbodo called for adequate sustainable measures and motivational facilities that will add value and boost the morale of the officers, to get them on their toes in combating the high rate of crime and criminal activities in the country.
He noted that the number of police personnel in Nigeria was insufficient to handle the rising cases of criminality in the country, stressing that the nation’s population was increasing by the day, hence the need for the federal government to recruit more qualified manpower, from the thirty six states and the Federal Capital Territory, into the Nigeria Police Force.
The clergyman urged the police authorities to liaise with the state Commissioners of Police across the country and the Federal Capital Territory to recruit at least six hundred thousand policemen into the force this year, and the same number next year, so that the country could have over one million police personnel before the end of the Buhari administration.
Prophet Igbodo said the measure would ensure adequate police presence in every local government area in the country and enhance community policing.
The outspoken man of God noted that the plan by the federal government to withdraw police escorts from top politicians and other Very Important Personalities in the country was not the solution to increased crime rate, maintaining, that every important personality in the country needed to be protected by the police.
He expressed dismay at the seeming unfriendly relationship between the police and members of the public, which noted had led to confrontations and brutalities, stressing that the reported killing of eighteen persons across the country while enforcing the current sit at home order by the government was not a good narrative.
Prophet Igbodo, who is also the proprietor of Job’s Orphanage and St. Stephen’s Trust Widows’ Home both in Agbor, made a strong case for improved welfare for security operatives involved in the enforcement of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID – 19 to reduce frictions between them and the citizens.
He used the opportunity to encourage Nigerians to always appreciate the services of police personnel and be more friendly with them.
The religious leader thanked God for using his ministry, Job’s Orphanage and St. Stephen’s Trust Widows’,Home to touch lives and called on public spirited individuals and organisations to identify with the projects for the greater good of humanity.
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